History

Timeline

1949
BOMA Central Iowa is founded in Des Moines.
The Art Center is one year old
The Equitable Building is the tallest building in Iowa

1959
Merle Hay Plaza is constructed as an open-air shopping center on the former site of a monastery.

1968
The McVicar Freeway is completed, opening up growth to the western suburbs.

1972-1985
The Financial Center, Capital Square, Ruan Buildings, Kaleidoscope at The Hub and Hub Tower are all built.

In 1972, the skywalk system is in its infancy.

1990
801 Grand opens its doors as the tallest building between Chicago and Denver and Tulsa and Minneapolis.

1999
R&R Investors and the MidAmerica Group collectively own more than 2.5 million square feet of commercial space in West Des Moines.

Principal Financial Group owns approximately 2 million square feet of corporate real estate in downtown Des Moines (excluding 801 Grand)

2007
BOMA Central Iowa is changed to BOMA Iowa